The Origins and Persistence of Gender Roles in Ethiopia: A micro-level analysis of the effects of traditional farming systems on modern gender roles.

Abstract: Perceptions of where the “natural” place for women is, vary considerably across societies. This is especially true in heterogeneous countries like Ethiopia, where stark variations between ethnicities and their attitudes towards gender roles exist. A much-debated question is how these differences emerge. Some research suggests that gender roles originated from traditional agricultural practices whereas others argue that they stem from variations in settlement patterns, language, religion, or geography. Through empirical analysis, this thesis reviews the possible origins of gender roles and explores the nexus between ancestral farming systems and modern gender roles of 22 Ethiopian ethnicities. Connecting the Ethnographic Atlas and the Demographic Health Survey, this study creates a long-term perspective on the origins of gender roles and their persistence. The findings suggest that there is a persistent, causal relationship between traditional plough usage and less equal gender roles in Ethiopia.